An illustration shows the proposed headquarters for Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service. St. Johns County commissioners are considering more than $118,000 in incentives to bring the company to the county. l St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
Published on January 25, 2024 at 5:11 pm
St. Johns County has started the process of giving a construction equipment company more than $118,000 in incentives to move from the Orlando area to St. Johns County.
Commissioners voted 4-1 this month to draft an incentive package for Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service, which sells machinery and parts for agricultural and manufacturing operations.
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Vermeer plans to build a 32,000-square-foot regional headquarters near International Golf Parkway and U.S. 1. Currently the company’s southeast regional headquarters is in Ocoeeabout 12 miles west of Orlando.
Construction of the new headquarters is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025 and it is expected to bring 18 jobs. The county estimates the company would generate $1.75 million annually for the county.
During a commissioners meeting Jan. 16, several commissioners and a handful of neighbors voiced concerns about traffic associated with the project. Ann Taylor said she takes International Golf Parkway every day.
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“It is a two-lane road. I mean they mentioned a turn lane. Come on, so there’s a turn lane. There’s no shoulder on that road. It is a nightmare of a road,” Taylor said.
Commissioner Krista Joseph held similar concerns about traffic. She said she wishes the facility was closer to Interstate 95. The company indicated in a report that the bulk of the inbound and outbound traffic would come from the interstate.
“My concern is the amount of trucks on that narrow road that’s never going to be widened because it’s through a conservation area,” Joseph said.
Dick D’Souza, assistant manager for growth management for the county, said discussions to widen the road have begun, but he did not have a timeline for when the improvements could be completed.
Commissioner Henry Dean also said he had concerns about the traffic along International Golf Parkway, but he ultimately was one of the four votes in favor of drafting the incentive package.
The county commission will vote on the final agreement at a later date.
Lead image: An illustration shows the proposed headquarters for Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service. St. Johns County commissioners are considering more than $118,000 in incentives to bring the company to the county. l St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
